For The Long Jump
Bombardier Sydney James Turner Royal Artillery
The Man Sydney James Turner (Jim) was born on Wednesday 10th February 1915 in Atcham, Shropshire, Son of Charles Edward, serving as a Private in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, later a Labourer and Painter and Edith Maria nee Price. He had at least four siblings, Charles Edward born in 1909, Florence 1910, Ernest 1921 and another unknown.
By 1930 Jim and his family were living at 19 Sultan Road, Ditherington, Shrewsbury and after his schooling, became a Laborer and then a Butcher. Jim also enlisted into the 260 Battery, 60th Medium Brigade Royal Artillery, Territorial Army on 20th January 1931, aged 15 as a ‘Boy’ entrant. His service number was 807918 and he was described as 5’.6” tall, weighing 126lbs with a 32½” girth. A fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and Church of England.
Jim embraced Army life attending annual camps for 15 days in 1931, 32 and 33. He was discharged from the TA on 2nd November 1933 aged 18, under Para 207 of TA Regulations 1929 – ‘In consequence of his having enlisted in the Regular Army, The Royal Artillery’, with a total service of two years 287 days. Following his attestation into the regulars at Shrewsbury, aged 18, he retained the same service number, with the rank of Gunner.
He undertook his initial training, achieving 3rd and 2nd class certificates of education on 1st December 1933 and 2nd February 1934, respectively. He was posted to a Field Brigade and saw service in the United Kingdom until 14th January 1936 and then posted to India as part of the 25 Field Brigade. It was at this exact time his Father Charles died aged 51.
Whilst in India Jim undertook a class of instruction in Indian Army Ordnance Corps duties in July 1937 and was still in the country at the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939.
The 25 Field Regiment RA fought in Africa as part of the 4th Indian Infantry Division, taking part in the East African Campaign, a series of battles fought in East Africa by the British and allies against Italian forces from June 1940 to November 1941. They fought in operation Compass in December 1940 and involved in the decisive battles in the camps around Sidi Barrani. The same month the division was rushed to British Sudan to join with the 5th Indian Infantry Division to prevent the Italian forces from threatening Red Sea supply routes to Egypt as well as Egypt and the Suez Canal itself. In June 1942 they were at the Gazala Line at Tobruk.
By 1930 Jim and his family were living at 19 Sultan Road, Ditherington, Shrewsbury and after his schooling, became a Laborer and then a Butcher. Jim also enlisted into the 260 Battery, 60th Medium Brigade Royal Artillery, Territorial Army on 20th January 1931, aged 15 as a ‘Boy’ entrant. His service number was 807918 and he was described as 5’.6” tall, weighing 126lbs with a 32½” girth. A fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and Church of England.
Jim embraced Army life attending annual camps for 15 days in 1931, 32 and 33. He was discharged from the TA on 2nd November 1933 aged 18, under Para 207 of TA Regulations 1929 – ‘In consequence of his having enlisted in the Regular Army, The Royal Artillery’, with a total service of two years 287 days. Following his attestation into the regulars at Shrewsbury, aged 18, he retained the same service number, with the rank of Gunner.
He undertook his initial training, achieving 3rd and 2nd class certificates of education on 1st December 1933 and 2nd February 1934, respectively. He was posted to a Field Brigade and saw service in the United Kingdom until 14th January 1936 and then posted to India as part of the 25 Field Brigade. It was at this exact time his Father Charles died aged 51.
Whilst in India Jim undertook a class of instruction in Indian Army Ordnance Corps duties in July 1937 and was still in the country at the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939.
The 25 Field Regiment RA fought in Africa as part of the 4th Indian Infantry Division, taking part in the East African Campaign, a series of battles fought in East Africa by the British and allies against Italian forces from June 1940 to November 1941. They fought in operation Compass in December 1940 and involved in the decisive battles in the camps around Sidi Barrani. The same month the division was rushed to British Sudan to join with the 5th Indian Infantry Division to prevent the Italian forces from threatening Red Sea supply routes to Egypt as well as Egypt and the Suez Canal itself. In June 1942 they were at the Gazala Line at Tobruk.
Jim was posted to Egypt with 25 Field Regiment on 27th September 1940 and promoted to Paid Acting Bombardier with effect from 8th September followed by substantive Bombardier on 8th December. He entered Sudan on 6th January 1941 and appointed Paid Lance Sergeant on 6th February, returning to Egypt on 30th April.
It was during this period and amidst the heavy fighting that Jim committed an unknown offence on 1st May for which he was demoted to Bombardier on 10th May. He was granted an additional pay of 9d a day from 1-31st August 1941 for performing the duties of Class 1 NT Cook and saw further action as part of the Eighth Army which was formed from the Western Desert Force in September 1941 and comprised 7th British Armoured Division and 4th Indian Infantry Division. However, Jim fell sick and was evacuated beyond the Regimental Aid Post on 20th November being hospitalised for two months. He was released on 25th January 1942 and returned to the 25th Field Regiment and Eighth Army.
He was appointed Paid Acting Lance Sergeant again on 22nd February 1942 and transferred to the 3rd Field Regiment on 25th June reverting to Bombardier. He fell sick a second time on 14th October and in hospital until 27th.
At the beginning of November 1942, the Eighth Army defeated Rommel in the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein, pursuing the defeated Axis army across Libya and reaching the Mareth defensive line on the Tunisian border in February 1943, where it came under the control of 18th Army Group.
On 28th January 1943 however, Jim proceeded to his port of embarkation for return to the UK because of his ‘long service’ overseas returning to the UK on 23rd June. Whilst Jim was returning home the Eighth Army outflanked the Mareth defences in March 1943 and after further fighting alongside the British First Army, the other 18th Army Group component which had been campaigning in Tunisia since November 1942, the Axis forces in North Africa surrendered in May 1943.
For his service Jim became eligible for the Africa Star with 8th Army clasp. Following his return to the UK he went Absent Without Leave from 2359h on 21st July 1943 until 2040h on 25th. He was tried under a Field General Court Martial at Warminster, found guilty and sentenced ‘to take rank and precedence as if his appointment to the rank of Bombardier foredate 8th September 1941 and to be severely reprimanded and to forfeit four days pay’.
It was during this period and amidst the heavy fighting that Jim committed an unknown offence on 1st May for which he was demoted to Bombardier on 10th May. He was granted an additional pay of 9d a day from 1-31st August 1941 for performing the duties of Class 1 NT Cook and saw further action as part of the Eighth Army which was formed from the Western Desert Force in September 1941 and comprised 7th British Armoured Division and 4th Indian Infantry Division. However, Jim fell sick and was evacuated beyond the Regimental Aid Post on 20th November being hospitalised for two months. He was released on 25th January 1942 and returned to the 25th Field Regiment and Eighth Army.
He was appointed Paid Acting Lance Sergeant again on 22nd February 1942 and transferred to the 3rd Field Regiment on 25th June reverting to Bombardier. He fell sick a second time on 14th October and in hospital until 27th.
At the beginning of November 1942, the Eighth Army defeated Rommel in the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein, pursuing the defeated Axis army across Libya and reaching the Mareth defensive line on the Tunisian border in February 1943, where it came under the control of 18th Army Group.
On 28th January 1943 however, Jim proceeded to his port of embarkation for return to the UK because of his ‘long service’ overseas returning to the UK on 23rd June. Whilst Jim was returning home the Eighth Army outflanked the Mareth defences in March 1943 and after further fighting alongside the British First Army, the other 18th Army Group component which had been campaigning in Tunisia since November 1942, the Axis forces in North Africa surrendered in May 1943.
For his service Jim became eligible for the Africa Star with 8th Army clasp. Following his return to the UK he went Absent Without Leave from 2359h on 21st July 1943 until 2040h on 25th. He was tried under a Field General Court Martial at Warminster, found guilty and sentenced ‘to take rank and precedence as if his appointment to the rank of Bombardier foredate 8th September 1941 and to be severely reprimanded and to forfeit four days pay’.
He was posted to the 163 Field Regiment on 31st August and granted the first award of long service and good conduct pay on 12th October. Interestingly and despite the court Martial his entry read ‘Granted 1st award of LS&GC pay at 3d per diem wef 12 Oct 43. Verified that the soldier has completed not less than eight years qualifying service after attaining the age of 18 years and that no regimental entry affecting the award has been incurred during the two years immediately preceding this award’. This wef date was later amended to 10 May 43 which was before his FGCM.
More happily and one wonders if in connection with his earlier AWOL, Jim now aged 28, married Winifred Louisa Dorothy Hill in Shrewsbury on 22nd November 1943
He remained in the UK serving in the 191, 163 and 195 Field Regiments and in readiness for D Day on 6th June 1944. He was attached to the The Military College of Science, Stoke on Trent from 2nd – 11th May to attend a course of instruction on equipment.
Jim embarked for France on 13th October 1944 landing on 15th D+9 as part of the 54 Reinforcement Holding Unit. He was transferred to the 147 Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry) on 1st December. The 147 Regiment had been landed on the beaches of Normandy since D-Day. It was equipped with Sexton Self Propelled 25 Pounder guns and fought with the British 8th Armoured Brigade as a spearhead unit through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and into Germany and eventual Allied victory on 8th May 1945.
Jim was posted to Kiel in Germany, and demonstrated an athletic prowess representing his regiment during Kiel Week inter-unit sports championship. He took part in the long jump event No 8 on 8 Friday 31st August 1945, wearing the green bib and attempting to beat a distance of 23’ 4”. He appears to have done so as he was awarded an engraved trophy to mark his success by Brigadier A G Matthew CBE DSO. He also came second in the High Jump receiving an engraved medallion.
Interestingly the photograph of the presentation shows him as a Bombardier, wearing the 147 (Essex Yeomanry) Collar Dogs and the black Royal Armoured Corps beret worn by 147.
Jim was promoted again to Paid Acting Lance Sergeant on 2nd November 1945 and released from the Army on leave on 11th December 1945 prior to demobilisation on 5th April 1946 being placed into the Z Class Royal Army Reserve – which he was discharged formally from on 30th June 1959. His last unit being 413th Battery 147th Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry).
On discharge the Commanding Officer said of Jim, “A much travelled soldier. He has become a good disciplinarian and is now a capable man who can be relied upon to do his duties well. Always smart in manner and appearance”.
His Military Conduct was given as ‘Good’.
Following the war Jim was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with ‘8th Army’ clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. He had completed 6 years 100 days service during the war, 4 years 350 days of which were overseas. He returned to live at the family home at 19 Sultan Road, Ditherington with Winifred and his Mother Edith, until her death in June 1960.
In 1946 he began working as a Storeman with the Ministry of Defence Ordnance Support Unit in Harlescott, where he remained for the next 27 years until retiring aged 58 in January 1973. Upon his retirement he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal by Major General James Majury CB MBE, GOC West Midlands District at the HQ Belle Vue in Shrewsbury.
Sadly Jim did not live long enough to fully enjoy his retirement and passed away three years later on 21st March1976 at the Cross Houses Hospital Shrewsbury aged 61. He died of respiratory failure, pulmonary tuberculosis and fibrosis. He was still living at 19 Sultan Road when he died and the informant was his brother Charles Edward Turner. Jim left £1782.30 net but had not made a will.
Winifred died 22 years later in 1998 at Nottingham.
More happily and one wonders if in connection with his earlier AWOL, Jim now aged 28, married Winifred Louisa Dorothy Hill in Shrewsbury on 22nd November 1943
He remained in the UK serving in the 191, 163 and 195 Field Regiments and in readiness for D Day on 6th June 1944. He was attached to the The Military College of Science, Stoke on Trent from 2nd – 11th May to attend a course of instruction on equipment.
Jim embarked for France on 13th October 1944 landing on 15th D+9 as part of the 54 Reinforcement Holding Unit. He was transferred to the 147 Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry) on 1st December. The 147 Regiment had been landed on the beaches of Normandy since D-Day. It was equipped with Sexton Self Propelled 25 Pounder guns and fought with the British 8th Armoured Brigade as a spearhead unit through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and into Germany and eventual Allied victory on 8th May 1945.
Jim was posted to Kiel in Germany, and demonstrated an athletic prowess representing his regiment during Kiel Week inter-unit sports championship. He took part in the long jump event No 8 on 8 Friday 31st August 1945, wearing the green bib and attempting to beat a distance of 23’ 4”. He appears to have done so as he was awarded an engraved trophy to mark his success by Brigadier A G Matthew CBE DSO. He also came second in the High Jump receiving an engraved medallion.
Interestingly the photograph of the presentation shows him as a Bombardier, wearing the 147 (Essex Yeomanry) Collar Dogs and the black Royal Armoured Corps beret worn by 147.
Jim was promoted again to Paid Acting Lance Sergeant on 2nd November 1945 and released from the Army on leave on 11th December 1945 prior to demobilisation on 5th April 1946 being placed into the Z Class Royal Army Reserve – which he was discharged formally from on 30th June 1959. His last unit being 413th Battery 147th Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry).
On discharge the Commanding Officer said of Jim, “A much travelled soldier. He has become a good disciplinarian and is now a capable man who can be relied upon to do his duties well. Always smart in manner and appearance”.
His Military Conduct was given as ‘Good’.
Following the war Jim was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with ‘8th Army’ clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. He had completed 6 years 100 days service during the war, 4 years 350 days of which were overseas. He returned to live at the family home at 19 Sultan Road, Ditherington with Winifred and his Mother Edith, until her death in June 1960.
In 1946 he began working as a Storeman with the Ministry of Defence Ordnance Support Unit in Harlescott, where he remained for the next 27 years until retiring aged 58 in January 1973. Upon his retirement he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal by Major General James Majury CB MBE, GOC West Midlands District at the HQ Belle Vue in Shrewsbury.
Sadly Jim did not live long enough to fully enjoy his retirement and passed away three years later on 21st March1976 at the Cross Houses Hospital Shrewsbury aged 61. He died of respiratory failure, pulmonary tuberculosis and fibrosis. He was still living at 19 Sultan Road when he died and the informant was his brother Charles Edward Turner. Jim left £1782.30 net but had not made a will.
Winifred died 22 years later in 1998 at Nottingham.
The Story The medals awarded to Sydney or Sidney James (Jim) Turner have been pieced together following the acquisition of his Imperial Service Medal in November 2019. During some spare time on a cold, wet November day in Doncaster, it was discovered from Google that Cultman Collectables were based in the city, as they specialise in medals a visit to their shop was a must.
The shop was not a disappointment, with lots of medal groups, uniforms and badges in their window to whet the appetite, with much more inside and all well displayed. Sitting in a display cabinet, not yet having appeared on their web site, was a single Imperial Service Medal (ISM), with a photograph of the recipient receiving the award together with a small trophy and medallion named to the same man for sporting achievement. Also a newspaper cutting detailing the award of the ISM and paperwork relating to the sports day in 1945 when the trophy and medallion were won. There was also a damaged photograph from 1945 showing the recipient in uniform being awarded the very same trophy and medallion that was on sale with the medal and tellingly with him wearing the ribbon of the Africa Star. Sadly the ISM Certificate was not with the lot.
The temptation was too much and the lot acquired for a reasonable price.
Thanks to the brief newspaper article and sports paperwork, it became straightforward to gather basic biographical details from Ancestry.UK and put together a brief biography. The box containing the ISM also had ‘Jims’ written on it, thus giving the name he went by.
Jim’s death certificate was ordered and in November 2019 his service papers requested. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, there was a delay in receiving them, but they arrived on Christmas Eve 2020, revealing a lot of information, including Jim’s entitlement to the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Meal 1939-45.
The original Ancestry.UK research coupled with his service records have now enabled a substantial biography to be pieced together.
Some points of interest are that a lot of the service records show his first name as James and not Sydney. Because of the ISM box and ‘Jims’ written on it, it is likely that he only went by his middle name never using Sidney. Another example of how a simple word written somewhere can help unravel what may have otherwise been an unanswerable question!
His name appears to be Sidney, but is often spelled as Sydney, including on his ISM, his death certificate identifies both names.
His death certificate shows his occupation as a retired Fireman! This could mean Foreman which would be more in keeping with his actual work as a Storeman at the MoD.
Sidney’s Imperial Service Medal was not particularly well mounted and it is interesting, but not surprising, to see the medal he is wearing on presentation is identical to that in its presentation box because of the way the ribbon sits.
As often happens with research, a google search of Major General James Majury, who had presented Jim’s Imperial Service Medal, revealed an interesting biography in its own right.
The shop was not a disappointment, with lots of medal groups, uniforms and badges in their window to whet the appetite, with much more inside and all well displayed. Sitting in a display cabinet, not yet having appeared on their web site, was a single Imperial Service Medal (ISM), with a photograph of the recipient receiving the award together with a small trophy and medallion named to the same man for sporting achievement. Also a newspaper cutting detailing the award of the ISM and paperwork relating to the sports day in 1945 when the trophy and medallion were won. There was also a damaged photograph from 1945 showing the recipient in uniform being awarded the very same trophy and medallion that was on sale with the medal and tellingly with him wearing the ribbon of the Africa Star. Sadly the ISM Certificate was not with the lot.
The temptation was too much and the lot acquired for a reasonable price.
Thanks to the brief newspaper article and sports paperwork, it became straightforward to gather basic biographical details from Ancestry.UK and put together a brief biography. The box containing the ISM also had ‘Jims’ written on it, thus giving the name he went by.
Jim’s death certificate was ordered and in November 2019 his service papers requested. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, there was a delay in receiving them, but they arrived on Christmas Eve 2020, revealing a lot of information, including Jim’s entitlement to the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Meal 1939-45.
The original Ancestry.UK research coupled with his service records have now enabled a substantial biography to be pieced together.
Some points of interest are that a lot of the service records show his first name as James and not Sydney. Because of the ISM box and ‘Jims’ written on it, it is likely that he only went by his middle name never using Sidney. Another example of how a simple word written somewhere can help unravel what may have otherwise been an unanswerable question!
His name appears to be Sidney, but is often spelled as Sydney, including on his ISM, his death certificate identifies both names.
His death certificate shows his occupation as a retired Fireman! This could mean Foreman which would be more in keeping with his actual work as a Storeman at the MoD.
Sidney’s Imperial Service Medal was not particularly well mounted and it is interesting, but not surprising, to see the medal he is wearing on presentation is identical to that in its presentation box because of the way the ribbon sits.
As often happens with research, a google search of Major General James Majury, who had presented Jim’s Imperial Service Medal, revealed an interesting biography in its own right.
Sydney James Turner being awarded his trophy and medallion for winning the long jump at Kiel Week Inter-Unit Sports Competition Friday 31st August 1945, by Brigadier A G Matthew CBE DSO. NOTE - the riband of the Africa Star. 147 (Essex Yeomanry) Collar dogs and black beret of the Royal Armoured Corps.
Sydney Turner's Trophy and Medallion presented by Brigadier Matthew.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- France and Germany Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: SYDNEY JAMES TURNER
This page last updated 10 Jan 21